The dynamic team of K. Madhu (director), Mamootty (actor) and S.N.Swamy (script-writer) hit the home-run for the fourth time with this fourth sequel, Nerariyan CBI, of the movie Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (released in 1987). For those who are unaware, south indian superstar Mamootty plays the intelligent CBI officer Sethurama Iyer.
The Plot (source: sify.com)
Animangalam Tharavad, an aristocratic old mansion is the new milieu for the fourth sequel. A lot of strange things and a few murders have happened here when Anitha (GOPIKA) one of the members of the family comes with her two friends for holiday, Mythili (SAMVRUTHA) and Lakshmi (SUJA KARTHIKA). The same night Mythili dies mysteriously and police writes off the case as an accident.
Four years later Sai (JISHNU) an IPS officer and Anita’s lover meets Sethurama Iyer (MAMOOTTY) at the airport and briefs him about this unusual case in which some supernatural forces are blamed for the murder. Iyer takes it up as a challenge and unfolds the mystery behind the murder with the support of his usual gang of Chacko (MUKESH) and Vikram (JAGATHY). And finally as the story unfolds in the climax, the real killer is someone whom you will never suspect!
My Review
I agree with Sify Movies - I can’t wait for the fifth sequel! The men behind the CBI flick could enter the Guinness Book of World Records because no movie in the world has reportedly had the same director, actor and script-writer for four sequels.
The record does not concern me. I am impressed by the story and the performances. As its predecessors, Nerariyan also has cool twists and it’s tough to figure who-did-it. For me, it was better than it’s third prequel Sethurama Iyer CBI.
Mamootty, the backbone of the movie, proves his calibre for the nth time. That self-assured, you-can-trust-me I-will-find-the-killer-for-you expressions don’t let us down this time too. What makes the character of Sethurama Iyer is not simply the acting of this legend. That walk, the ’chandanam’ (paste) on the forehead, the all-knowing smile, the neat untucked shirt.....How can we think of the CBI officer without those mannerisms?!
Veteran actors Mukesh and Jagathy do their best too. Jagathy’s disguised meeting with a couple in the movie is hilarious. Jishnu, the young good-looking actor, has improved significantly. He looks better with the added weight. With some strong roles in the future, this man can rise up the ranks in Malayalam cinema.
The girls, Samvrutha, Gopika & Suja are convincing. Tilakan, as the no-nonsense astrologer, makes a short but deadly impact.
Rest of the cast - Mohan Jose (servant), Suvarna (servant’s wife), Sreekumar (Dr.Krishnan Nair), Riza Bava (Dr.Baby), Gopakumar (Mythili’s father) and others are excellent too. Their performance makes it difficult for the viewers to predict the killer. Each one acts suspicious at one scene or the other!
However, there are some aspects in the movie that make us laugh silently. Was the movie being an ambassador for products Tata Indicom, AVT Tea, Tiger Biscuits & Kalyan Jewellers? These products are showcased prominently in many scenes. Mamootty drinks AVT Tea & eats Tiger regularly in some scenes. When a person compliments on the tea Mamootty offers him, the latter humbly replies that it’s the quality of the powder! The companies tried to be subtle, instead the colorful displays becomes obvious to the viewers. Also, we know that Mamootty is the brand ambassador for Kalyan Jewellers. Anyway, these blatant advertisements do not affect our interest as the movie progresses, thanks to the well-built suspense.
Nerariyan CBI is a surefire superhit.
Direction - K. Madhu
Year of release - 2005
Starring - Mamootty, Mukesh, Jagathy, Jishnu, Tilakan, Gopika
My verdict - Very good thriller. Watch out for the unexpected climax